Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23

ROoM-How JOSIE HOLMES BECAME THE AUTOCRAI
OF THE FIDELITY BANK.
From the New York World of to-day.
Miss Josie Holmes, the pretty exchange clerk OF
the defunct Fidelity National Bank, who was ar
rested on the charge OF having aided Fice-Presi-
dent Z. L. Harper in his fraudulent doings, Occu-
pies the same room that Harper recently had In
the county jail. She is by far the prettieSt and
most interesting prisoner that ever was behind
the bars in Cincinnati. She has Stately figure,
fair complexion, and dark hair and brilliant brown
eyes She is about twenty live years old, and was
born in that city. Her parents were respectable,
but without means Several years ago her father
died, and Josie became the sole support OF heI
mother. She was amanuensis for Spiritualist
and healing medium, and no word was breathed
against her while she was In that employ, mol
When the Fidelity B ank was started Harper ad-
vertised for a young woman exchange clerk.
Among those who applied for the place was Josie
Holmes. Harper engaged her az once. Her desk
was placed near his Office door. She was very
bright and performed her duties SO acceptabiy
that In little while her salary was Increased from
ca sagaciy on the part OF the other clerks to see
that Harper was very partial TO Miss Holmes. He
the bank. The clerks say that they once saw Miss
Holmes slap Harper In the mouth, and that he re-
tired in bad h,mor, but soon returned to her desk
The pretty little home OF Miss Holmes and her
mother in Ayondale was furnished at Harper's ex-
pense, and he also paid in advance the rent foi
very devoted to his Wife and children. He was not
society man. and never frequented clubs OF
ure brought Hiss Holmes prominently before the
public and all the bits OF gossip about her tnfu-
ence over the bank-wrecker were repeated In the
newspapers. She never seemed to mind the re-
ports, but maintained calm demeanor as amaz-
ing as that OF Harper in the most trying moments.
The United States authorities Kept an eye on the
x-o11 nd fyVn mil
Swallowed her. She was summoned TO the dts
trict attorneys office, but pleaded ignorance OF
visited Harper in his private room at the jail
several times, and was so 1ndiScreet as to allow
him to lock the door to prevent outsiders listening
to their conversation. II was because OF the ire
quent meetings OF Harper and Miss Holmes that
he was transferred to the Dayton jail.
When she was arraigned before United States
Commissioner Hooper she seemed naughty and de-
FAINT but at intervals chatted cheeriy With those
around her. Miss Holmes attorney advised her to
waive examination which She did; and the bond
prisoner did not come to her rescue, nor did she
seem to expect that any one would go on her bond.
She waited until O'Clock, and then With admira-
BILE GOODNESS announced that she was ready to 60
wherever they wished to take her.
A United States marshal called carriage and
Miss Holmes entered it with him and was driven
to the Hamilton County Jail. She had been there
SO often to call upon Harper that She was some
what familiar with the place. She trfpped lightly
down the stone steps and greeted the jailer with
cordial ''HOw d'y' dor A pleasant room in the
fourth story, in the 1ailer's private apartments,
was assigned TO the new arrival, and she found
that it was the same room in which she had visited
her former employer.
Miss Holmes mother is lying dangerously Ill OF
consumption. and 1t is thought the shock OF her
daughters disgrace will Kill her. The indications
are that Miss Holmes will spend the entire sum-
mer in jail. 1t is believed that the Government
will not force the case against her, but will seek
to use her in securing the conviction OF Harper.
She is SO plucky and bright that 1t VIII be hard To
make her a valuable witness against him. She
does not make any statements as to her guilt OF
innocence, and laughingly says: "Let the Govern
ment do its worst" She does not even attempt to
defend Harper, but she refuses to condemn him.